Loose-leaf book.



R. G. W HITLOCK.

LOOSE LEAF BOOK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11. 1916.

1,222, Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

UNITED @TATE% PATENT FFIFE.

RALPH G. WHITLOCK, 0]? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

LOOSE-LEAF BOOK.

Application filed March 11, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH G. IVrrrrLoc-K, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Books, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a book consisting of a cover and means secured thereto for securing loose leaves therein and the object thereof is to provide improved and simple means for removably securing the leaves in place within the cover which will also permit of the removal of such leaves as it may at any time be desirable. to remove, whether it is a part or all of such leaves.

In the drawings forming a part of this application Figure 1 is a front elevation of the leaf securing means with a fragment of the cover secured thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the rings in closed position, showing a lock.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the rings open, showing them locked open.

Fig. 4 is a modified form.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings 10 and 11 are frame members preferably composed of heavy wire, the ends of which are turned at right angles to the body and hingedly connected by rod 12, thereby forming what I term a skeleton back frame. At suitable distances from the ends of the frame members and also if desired in the middle therecompanion pieces to their connection to the frame members is preferably equal to the greatest distance between them when in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

Serial No. 83,653.

their closed position. The other or inner ends of the ring members in the preferred form when positioned for use extend on a straight line to the meeting point of the companion pieces at a point below what would be the center of a circle if the companion pieces had formed a perfect circle and at their meeting point they are pivotally connected by rod 12.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the inner ends of the companion pieces of the ring members extend when positioned for use from the frame members to a point a little below what would be the center of a circle if the companion pieces had formed a perfect circle and at their meeting point they are connected by a wire bar 16 that extends through all the inner ends of the ring members.

In this form the frame members are not connected at their ends, the ends being straight as shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 1 I have shown aspring for closing the rings after a sheet is put in or taken out of the rings. tween two of the rings a spring 17 the free ends of which engage the frame members in close proximity to the ring members to cause the companion members of the rings to close after being opened.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 I have shown a device for holding the ring members in' their closed and open positions. At any point of the frame members but preferably at the central ring I place a locking device preferably of the following construction. To one of the frame members I secure a strip of resilient metal 18 which projects toward the center of the ring members and terminates in an S-shaped end 19. Secured to the other frame member is another strip of resilient metal 20 which is opposite the first strip and projects toward the same. The upper end of this second strip preferably terminates in a rounded or hooked end 21 which lies below the first strip when the rings are in their closed position as shown in Fig. 2. This book is brought to lie in the outer curve in the first strip as shown in Fig. 3, to lock the rings in their open position. v

The lining 27 of the cover 26 is slitted at the ring members and passed over the bar which passes through and connects the ring I coil around rod 12 be- 'pivotally connect the members. The'bar thus forms an eflicient means of securing the cover to the frame members.

Having described my invention what I two sections forming companion pieces secured to the frame members; and means to ring sections. I

2. In a deviceof the character described a rectangular skeleton back frame comprising two members; deformed ring members constructed in two sections forming companion pieces secured to the frame members; means to pivotally connect the ring sections; and means to hold the ring members open or closed.

3. In a device of the character described, a rectangular skeleton wire back frame comprising two members; deformed ring members constructed in two sections forming companion pieces secured to the frame me bers; means to pivotally connect the rin sections above the plane of the lower edges of the frame members; locking means to hold the ring members in either their open or closed position.

4. In a device of the character described, a rectangular skeleton back frame composed of two wire members hingedly connected at their ends at a point above the plane of the lower edges of the side members; ring members secured to said wire members, a spring to normally hold the ring members closed; and locking means secured to said Wire members adapted to hold the ring members in a closed or open position.

5. In a device of the character described, aback frame comprising two parallel Wire members; and deformed ring members socured to said wire members, said ring members being arranged in pairs and having shanks hingedly connected at a point above the plane of the lower edges of the back members.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this day of February, 1915.

RALPH G. WHITLOCK. Witness:

G. J. HARPHAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

